Abu Dhabi's twenty top takeaway dishes

We plough through delivery menus and apps to bring you the capital's top takeaway dishes

Vanessa Fitter

August 30, 2017 12:00 AM

When you move to the UAE, you can consign the days of dry donner kebabs and greasy chip shop pizzas to the past, for here in the capital you can order anything from steak and chips to sushi direct to your door. And with the arrival of delivery apps like Deliveroo and Talabat to the city, many restaurants are now getting in on the delivery act. Here are some of our top picks for restaurant-quality deliveries.

THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Café Bateel Our order: Umbrian foulAvailable on: Deliveroo, Talabat, Zomato If you believe in the importance of the first meal of the day and fancy the thought of breakfast in bed, place an order with Café Bateel. All its breakfast platters are served with tea or coffee, a detox juice (because you need will need that on Friday morning) and your choice of toast. The Umbrian foul comes with cucumbers and tomatoes and is a meal in itself. It is served with date museli and a fruit platter. There’s enough here to tide you through to the evening, which means you won’t have to bother leaving your bed till dinnertime. Back of the net. Dhs89. The Galleria, Al Maryah Mall, (02 671 2284).

Circle Café Our order: Avocado on toast Available on: Zomato There’s only so much adulting you can handle when you’re living on your own. Feeding the fish, keeping the plants alive, binge-watching your favourite TV series and avoiding mixing up the dishwasher and washing machine powders are sometimes all we can manage before burning out. So, if someone else can make us a healthy breakfast then all the better. Circle Café does this kind of thing better than most and this simple, but supremely tasty, avocado on toast ticks all the right boxes for us. Dhs42. Various locations including Khalifa City A (02 5561550).

Pascal Tepper French Bakery Our order: Eggs royale Available on: Zomato Beat the crowds at this family-friendly spot by ordering from home and eating while sprawled across your couch. The soft eggs are served with slivers of smoked salmon and come flanked by beef sausage, turkey bacon, a selection of bread, juice and a drink. Sounds like a grand start to the day. Dhs68. IPIC Square, Muroor Road (02 444 4762).

THE LUNCH BUNCH

Biryani PotOur order: Any of the biryanis Available on: Talabat, Zomato Sometimes all you need to wake you up a lazy Friday afternoon is a pot of flavourful carbs. And there’s none that satiate that craving quite like the tantalising tastes from India. Biryani covers most food groups and packs in enough oomph to alert all senses. The biryanis at this popular outlet are top notch and great value. And for those looking for a healthier, less starchy version, there’s also a line of quinoa biryanis on offer. Starting from 34. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 676 6555).

Café 302Our order: Spinach and kale saladAvailable on: Deliveroo Now, now, there’s no need to roll your eyes. There’s nothing that works better on a hot day than a fresh, tasty salad. And while a plate of spinach tossed with kale sounds like something a skinny-jeans-wearing hipster with expertly groomed facial hair will whizz up into a drink, the variation served at Café 302 is one of the best we’ve had in the city. Order it and you will know just what we’re on about. Dhs48. Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana (02 610 6666).

Dai Pai DongOur order: Steamed har gow shrimpAvailable on: Deliveroo Chinese takeaway gets a bad rap for being greasy or doused in soy sauce and most times that’s justified. But you won’t need to worry about that if you order from high-end Cantonese street-food restaurant Dai Pai Dong. Expect the same standards of flavours as you would when dining in the stylish restaurant at Rosewood Abu Dhabi. The dim sum standards are a knock out and you can never go wrong with an order of the venue's plump shrimp har gow. Dhs35. Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island (02 813 5550).

Carluccio’sOur order: OssobuccoAvailable on: Deliveroo, TalabatCan’t be bothered to join the brunch brigade this weekend? Would you rather stay in and enjoy a hearty meal? If that's the case, may we recommend ordering the ossobucco at Carluccio’s. Stacked on top of a load of creamy, saffron risotto is a serving of tender, slow-braised veal meat that explodes with flavour. Buon appetito!Dhs79. Eastern Mangroves Promenade (02 441 3814).

No. FiftySeven Boutique CaféOur order: Chilli lime baked salmon Available on: Deliveroo, Zomato In this healthy dish, a fillet of salmon is drizzled with a fragrant lime and chilli dressing and served on a bed of sweet potato mash. It is a winning combination of flavours, balancing the sweet, acidic and spicy perfectly. Good-for-you comfort food. Dhs95. Building Two, Al Marasy, Al Bateen Harbour (02 441 6100).

Nolu’s Downtown Our order: We build our own Available on: ZomatoMiddle East meets West at Nolu’s Downtown. So, if you want cool California-style food with an Afghani twist, you’re at the right place. The food is fresh, fun and creative and if you’re picky about what to order, you can build your own bowl and spice it up with toppings, dressings and other ingredients, using chicken, beef or quinoa as the base. Prices vary. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (800 66587).

Soulfull Our order: Soulfull Lunch Box Available on: Talabat, Zomato Needless to say, eating out is one of the key activities at Time Out Towers. But, on the odd occasion that we have needed to order in, Soulfull has come to our rescue. The Soulfull lunch box includes a sandwich and side salad, soup, juice and a protein bite for less than Dhs50. You can select your combination from the restaurant’s full menu, too. Dhs49. Golden Tower, Muroor Road, (02 666 1841).

THE DINNER PARTY

Almaz by MomoOur order: Lamb tagineAvailable on: DeliverooYou don’t always have to order Asian food for deliver, there’s plenty of choice from elsewhere in the world, too. Fancy some Moroccan? Gather round your table, break some bread and scoop up the country’s most famous export – tagine – with your mates. The lamb is tender and juicy, having been slow-cooked in wonderful, thick, fragrant sauce. Dhs75. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 676 7702).

Berri’sOur order: Lobster pizza Available on: DeliverooMovie night doesn’t have to be about soggy crusts and sloppy sauces. Do it in style. Do it like they do in Hollywood and order in some luxurious pizza courtesy of this LA import that just happens to be a popular hangout spot with Tinseltown’s brightest stars. This 12-incher is topped with the house’s special creamy tomato sauce, chunks of lobster and shrimp. If it’s good enough for Madonna and Mariah, it’s good enough for you. Dhs85. Al Raha Beach, Al Raha (02 643 9555).

Jazz@PizzaExpressOur order: Tagliatelle aragosta Available on: Deliveroo, Talabat We can always count on these guys to deliver on the promise of a good meal. Chunks of lobster meat are stirred through a bisque sauce to make this delicious bowl of tagliatelle. It is finished off with black caviar and chives. Don’t forget a portion of dough balls. Everything is better with dough balls. Dhs88. The Mall at World Trade Center (02 444 7752).

Hanoi Naturally Our order: Pho bo taiAvailable on: DeliverooPick up your phone and call out to these guys for a fresh and authentic taste of Vietnamese food. The noodle soups are impressive, with the classic beef pho being our favourite. Takeaway soup you say? Don’t have to worry about any spillages, the team has it covered. Dhs32. The Mall at World Trade Centre (02 626 1112).

Lemongrass Thai RestaurantOur order: Pad Thai goongAvailable on: Deliveroo, TalabatWith no less than three outlets in the city, you can be sure there won’t be any delays in your order reaching you wherever you are. And it's easy to order, too. Just log on to the restaurant’s website, use one of the delivery apps or ring them up. We recommend the latter, only because we enjoy the melodic Sawadee Kha that greets us on the other end.Dhs40. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 677 0100).

TIME OUT READER OFFER

Pizza Di RoccoOur order: Pizza Campangnola Available on: Talabat, ZomatoThis Italian joint may be unassuming, but it serves perhaps the best pizza in town. Well, it definitely does now we’ve teamed up with the Pizza Di Rocco guys to create the Pizza Campagnola. Like everything they serve, all of the ingredients are imported from Italy and the dough is hand-pulled. On top of the thin base you’ll find tomato sauce, mozzarella, veal bacon, sautéed onion, spinach, feta and sundried tomato pesto. And believe us, it’s stunning. It’s available throughout September and when you order you’ll also get 50 percent off any starter or dessert that you pick to go alongside it. And that’s not all – snap a pic of you with the Pizza Campagnola, post it to Instagram and tag @timeoutabudhabi and @pizzadirocco to be in with a chance at winning a meal for two at the restaurant. Dhs55. Pizza Di Rocco, Al Salem Street, www.pizzadirocco.com (02 641 8300). Other location: Etihad Plaza (02 885 3222).

LocaOur order: Loca’s Ribs Available on: DeliverooYou know you can expect a top dish when it’s named after the restaurant itself. Coated in Loca’s crazy-good chilli sauce, get yourself a couple of portions because the first will disappear double quick. And the best part about ordering these bad boys at home? No need to worry about anyone watching as you gnaw every last morsel of meat of the bone like you’re Fred Flintstone. Dhs140. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (02 582 3639).

SpaccanapoliOur order: Pan seared scallops with truffle mash and leeks. Available on: Deliveroo, Zomato No longer do you have to slip into “going out” trousers or an LBD in order to enjoy a meal from a top restaurant. If you’re looking for a meal to impress, check out the menu at here. It includes dishes such as pan-seared scallops with truffle mash and crispy fried leeks. Dhs65. Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6261).

SushiArtOur order: Platters Available on: Deliveroo, Talabat, ZomatoThe platter here includes a variety of sushi and rolls and can feed up to six people. And if you have any reservations about raw fish being transported in this heat, don’t worry, the food arrives promptly and is well packaged. Prices vary. The Galleria, Al Maryah Island (800 220).

Trader Vic’s Our order: Steaks and grills Available on: DeliverooPlanning a boys night in? Okay, so, you’ve sorted out the drinks and the games. All that is left is the food. And what better to tear into than a slab of meat. The steaks from Trader Vic’s are cooked simply and dressed up with sides and sauces. Don’t fancy a peppercorn sauce? How about wasabi thyme butter?Starting from Dhs200. Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi (02 697 9011).

Sweet Cravings

Magnolia BakeryOur order: Banana pudding Available on: DeliverooThis delicious pudding is a brilliant way to surprise a birthday boy or girl. If you haven’t had a taste of it yet, (and why not may we ask?) you better slide to it. Get yourself the large bowl that serves up to 12 people and tuck in. Thank us later. Dhs220 (double bowl). The Galleria (02 304 8380).